Posts categorized "Kids Yoga Songs / Music"

February 2018

As many of us know, February 14th can be a day filled with conversation hearts, red punch and chocolate, creating a challenging atmosphere for teaching mindfulness and self-care. Alternatively, we can refocus this day on love and friendship inviting our students to reconnect with each other, the community and themselves.

Consider asking questions instead of always providing the answers. What is love? What is kindness? Can you love yourself? Discuss Valentine’s Day. St Valentine lived many years ago and was said to have written a sonnet for his loved one using ink he squeezed from the petals of violets. *Sonnet: a poem of fourteen lines using any of a number of formal rhyme schemes, in English typically having ten syllables per line

CENTERING Read The Day it Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond

BREATHWORKImagine someone you love in your mind. Inhale and feel the love you have for them fill you up. Exhale and send love back out. Know that you love and you are loved.

WARMUPRain storm Start seated or standing in a circle. The leader begins by rubbing hands together, then the person to the right joins, then the next until the sound makes its way around the circle, at which time the leader adds on as the sound continues around the circle. (a) Rub your hands together. (b) Lightly tap fingers on the legs for a light rain. (c) Increase the volume and tempo of the tapping for stronger rain. (d) Taking your time begin to reverse the order as the rain slows down ending with silence.

YOGA POSESAsk the students to retell The Day It Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond and incorporate postures. Open the book when they need reminders. Possible postures could be: Crescent Moon, card pose (sitting in butterfly with feet together open them like a card), table top, chair pose, she looked at the hearts from the front plank, side plank, and back reverse plank, thread the needle (table top twist), roll like a cotton ball, she used a pencil (mountain pose) to draw and cut out circles (flying bird breath or in/out breath), she put them in the mailbox (child’s pose), down dog, turtle, rabbit, tree

GROUP/PARTNER POSES/CREATIVE MOVEMENTThere are so many variations to create-a-heart! Use only your hands, use only your arms, use your whole body, create-a-heart with a friend, work together as an entire group to create a heart!

TRANSITIONImagine you are a heart-shaped raindrop floating down from the sky. What do you see? Be mindful not to bump into any of the other raindrops as you make your way to your mat.

RELAXATIONPicture a soft fluffy cloud floating down beside you. This cloud can be any shape, size or color that you choose. You feel safe and warm with your cloud. If you climb onto your cloud it will gently lift you up and take you anywhere you want to go. Where will it take you? What can you see on the way? Rest for a bit and enjoy the peaceful journey.

CLOSINGMay love rain down on us, May love surround us, May love grow through usMay peace rain down on us, May peace surround us, May peace grow through usMay chocolate rain down on us, May chocolate surround us, May chocolate grow through us(I change the last line every class and we all erupt in giggles!)

TAKE AWAY Spritz students and caregivers with lavender scented magic mist after they are dressed and ready at the door. Valentine themed mandalas, heart shaped stickers, or two positive affirmations (one to keep and one to share with a friend) are also welcome take aways.

I hope you enjoy sharing this sequence with the children in your life. If our youngest generation regularly practices nurturing the loving relationships in their lives, over time we will see a more loving planet! And as I always say, #loveisallthatmatters.

Sally Delisle, E-RYT 500, YACEP, RCYT, serves as Director of ChildLight Yoga Teacher Trainings, is a ChildLight Yoga and Mindfulness Teacher Trainer, and a Yoga 4 Classrooms Trainer. Sally is the creator/co-author of the ChildLight Yoga and Mindfulness Advanced Teaching Concepts and contributor to the Tweens and Teens and ChildLight Yoga in Schools Teacher Training curricula … read more here.

ChildLight Yoga offers a wide variety of teacher trainings each year across the country focused on empowering adult to share the gifts of yoga and mindfulness with children, babies, toddlers, tween, teens, children and teens with special needs, athletes, in schools and much more. To learn more and view the schedule, click here.

December 2017

Cultures around the globe have traditions that celebrate family, connection, and renewal. This kids’ yoga class focuses on those themes as well the beauty of the natural world during winter.

OPENINGOpen with a discussion of the four seasons, winter solstice marking the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere as well as the first day of winter, and favorite holiday traditions. Integrate science by observing the changing weather and noting winter as a natural time for mindful reflection before the growth and expansion of spring renewal.

Have students noticed animals busy at work? Animals in nature respond to mid-winter too. Some hibernate (let children suggest which ones do) and some don’t. Read: Over and Under the Snow, by Kate Messner.

CENTERINGUse chime listening as a centering activity.

Now let’s imagine a peaceful cabin on a snowy day. What does it look like?

BREATHWORKEven though each day has the same number of hours (how many?), on the Winter Solstice we have the fewest hours of daylight. The sun sets really early! When it is dark outside, we need to bring the light inside. Long ago, that meant lighting candles. Practice candle breath, which can be found in Lisa Flynn’s Yoga for Children book.

When we go out in the cold, practicing power breath helps us to remember the light and warmth of the sun.

WARMUPThe sun is always there to provide for us even when it is cold and hiding behind a cloud! Take several rounds of sun salutations or follow along with one of the following songs:

Retell the story Over and Under the Snowby Kate Messner while incorporating the following poses: crescent moon, tree, skier, squirrel, owl, vole (mouse), frog, beaver (table with shins/feet together for tail), fox (balancing table with one leg out for tail, do both sides), bear, bee. Which creatures hibernate for winter? Model hibernation in Child’s pose! Lastly, enjoy a campfire (firelog pose) under the stars.

TAKE AWAY Provide students with a journal to draw or write about their meaningful traditions. Holiday- themed mandalas are also a favorite takeaway. If possible, acknowledge Winter Solstice by sending each student home with a color changing tea light to encourage mindfulness practices at home.

Authors:

Jennifer Mueller, MA, E-RYT, RCYT, has been teaching yoga students of all ages since 2008 and directs a children's and family yoga program in Washington DC. In addition to being a trainer for ChildLight Yoga® and Yoga 4 Classrooms®, Jen holds a variety of children’s yoga certifications. She is also a prenatal yoga instructor, childbirth educator, a Certified Educator of Infant Massage (CEIM) through Infant Massage USA, and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Jen completed her adult yoga teacher training at Willow Street Yoga in Takoma Park, MD… read more here.

Sally Delisle, E-RYT 500, YACEP, RCYT, serves as Director of ChildLight Yoga Teacher Trainings, is a ChildLight Yoga and Mindfulness Teacher Trainer, and a Yoga 4 Classrooms Instructor. Sally is the creator/co-author of the ChildLight Yoga and Mindfulness Advanced Teaching Concepts and contributor to the Tweens and Teens and ChildLight Yoga in Schools Teacher Training manuals. She began studying and practicing yoga in 1993 after earning a degree in Fine Arts/Dance and a BA in Psychology… read more here.

ChildLight Yoga offers over 60 teacher trainings each year in 10 different states. To learn more and view their 2018 schedule, click here.

April 2010

Sitting down to write this product review on Musical Yoga Adventures, the 2006 children's music and movement CD created by Linda Lara and Suzy Frank, gratitude fills my heart as I consider the variety of high-quality yoga products available to children today.

It's amazing how beautiful, yet different, each of these books, posters, CDs, videos, and other items can be, as they were all created on basically the same premise - to make yoga and physical activity more fun and exciting for kids. Musical Yoga Adventures is not only pleasant-sounding, fun and inspiring for anyone interested in yoga play, but the variety of musical styles, professional singers and an online practice guide make the album unique in the marketplace.

From the first few notes of track one, Sun Dance, I knew this CD was special. The upbeat rhythm and impressive voice of Denise NeJame instantly transformed me to our Little Family class a few weeks back, when Miss Lisa led the class in a game of listening as the song instructed our every move. The next track, an affirmation rap, was hip without being dorky, and I can easily picture older kids reaching a little bit further and sitting up a little bit taller during a class where this was streaming through the sound system.

The next several songs follow a similar tune and chorus, as all center around Tree Pose with variations for each season. These songs allow plenty of opportunity for practicing tree pose, a challenging balance pose which kids love. With Autumn Tree, Snowy Tree and Springtime Tree, kids will enjoy balancing for the duration of each chorus.

The final theme-based songs provide longer lessons with more individual poses. Kids of all ages love it when you bring animals and nature into the yoga studio or classroom, and these songs titled Swimmin', Jungle Adventure, Butterfly and Snow Angel provide a wonderful visualization for children to follow as they stretch and strengthen with yoga.

As each song includes an accompanying movement sequence online at musicalyogaadventures.com, parents, teachers and other professionals working with kids can learn the routine, then teach while the music guides the group. It's a very nice way to introduce yoga slowly, especially as instructors may not feel comfortable teaching the practice themselves.

The nearly final relaxation song, along with seven other instrumental tracks, provides a terrific mood for practicing the recommended sequence or whatever poses the child or group wishes to perform. Namaste is a sweet tune with explains the loose translation of the indian greeting, "I honor you." This is an important word in our classes, as every class ends with a bow and greeting to one's classmates.

Musical Yoga Adventures would make a wonderful addition to your children's yoga library. The music is high-quality, the online sequences make learning the poses easy, and children will love the variety of tempos and styles recorded here.

Giveaway! Comment here for a chance to win the Musical Yoga Adventures CD from The Kids Yoga Resource. What role does music play in your family's time together? One lucky winner will be chosen on April 17th. Good Luck!

— Amy Bevan

Amy Bevan is a freelance writer, local reporter and host of The PranaMama, an online wellness and lifestyle magazine, and frequent contributor to the ChildLight Yoga Blog, The Kids Yoga Resource, as well as certified ChildLight Yoga Instructor and Itsy Bitsy Yoga facilitator. Amy resides in South Berwick, ME with her husband and two young children.

February 2010

Music can be incredibly powerful in its ability to help calm, soothe and relax the nervous system. Studies have also shown that certain kinds of music, such as classical or calming instrumentals, can help integrate and regulate the way the brain works, helping with learning and mood management. Music can also enhance intelligence, coordination, emotional expression, creativity and socialization skills. And, if you've ever danced your heart out or used an iPod with your favorite tunes while exercising, you also know the power of music to inspire and energize. It's not surprising then, that children's yoga classes typically involve the creative use of music.

Kids in yoga class respond to music almost immediately. A bored or nervous six-year-old may not initially want to participate in the warm-up session of class. Add a fun song like Yoga Kids' "Reach for the Sun" and suddenly eyes are wide and a smile appears, as he stretches his arms high into the air.

If you're a classroom or yoga teacher, consider investing in an MP3 player or an iPod. You can easily search online for the perfect songs to fit themes or class activities, create playlists and switch music without the fiddling with CDs. Our friend, Aruna Kathy Humphries of YoungYogaMasters.com adds, "It lets you have all your music with you because you never know when you might need to change up the lesson plan."

Yoga games requiring kids to move quickly are best accompanied by upbeat music. Much like the effect of a high-energy workout or dance song, a fun and upbeat tune will help to get a lethargic class moving. One of ChildLight Yoga's staples is Puntamayo's African Playground album, as it incorporates a lot of drumming, and no lyrics (all the Puntamayo CDs are great, by the way). Yoga-specific or thematic children's music is always a hit with the younger classes, but sometimes tweens and teens respond better to pop music with which they are familiar —better do some research if you're out of touch with current artists! And make certain you listen to the lyrics first. Not all pop music lyrics are appropriate (i.e., Kesha, Nelly, etc.). If you're going to use pop music, you might choose songs with positive message like The Climb, by Miley Cyrus.

Lisa Flynn of ChildLight Yoga often uses popular songs with inspiring lyrics during relaxation with teens and then invites her students to discuss of the meaning of the lyrics at end the class. Inevitably, these are powerful conversations that really stay with the adolescents. "Often the right song will even open the door to tears, a release," Flynn says. "And, I've had many kids say they had never really listened to the actual lyrics before and are blown away by the message being provided. It's powerful. They won't hear the same song again without remembering the conversation and connection it provided for them."

For classtime music and relaxation, mellow background music with no lyrics or nature sounds can really help quiet the mind, and is also recommended as part of a visualization with kids. Stephen Halpern's In the OM Zoneis ChildLight Yoga instructor Heather Warr's favorite. "It is quiet and balances both sides of the brain," says Warr. In fact, any of Stephen Halpern's CDs are wonderful for setting a soothing tone for kids or adult yoga classes. And, classical music is always a safe bet as well. Nature sounds can often be found on recorded CDs or online as MP3 files, and can be a great tool when leading a visualization to a specific location, like the beach or a rainforest. You can even download applications like Silent Island for your iPhone or iPod Touch.

ChildLight Yoga's teacher trainings focus on the creative use of music in children's yoga classes which was the reason founder, Lisa Flynn teamed up with children's signer/songwriter Sammie Haynes to create the CD titled, I Grow With Yoga, It includes 20 songs with movement cues (just email a request when purchasing), making yoga class fun and easy to teach and follow.

Flynn also loves Kira Willey's Dance for the SunCD, which recently gained national attention when the single "Colors" appeared on a television commercial for Dell Computers. The title song offers the perfect accompaniment to sun salutation. Musical Yoga Adventures, by Suzy Frank, is another adorable choice for young children's classes. The movement cues are available on the website as well.

Donna Freeman of Yoga In My School includes music suggestions throughout her book, Once Upon a Pose: A Guide to Yoga Adventure Stories for Children, and especially enjoys using thematic songs, such as "Wipeout" for a seashore or beach-themed yoga lesson.

Do you have more great music suggestions for your child's yoga practice or yoga class? Share your suggestions, please! — Amy Bevan

December 2009

To encourage my students to share what they've learned with their families, I like to end each session with what ChildLight Yoga refers to as a 'Sing and Share Show.' Typically, the 'show' involves a demonstration of several poses, perhaps even a vinyasa, a question and answer session, and sometimes a song or two. It's always inspiring to see how much the children have learned during our time together, and the pride they have in their accomplishments. It's also wonderful to see how that learning touches the hearts of their parents and other close relatives whom I have the pleasure of getting to know over time. After wiping away a tear at a recent share show, one parent said, "Thank you for inspiring my child to grow, share and connect." Ah, just what yoga for kids is all about...

The next time you need a simple, touching 'performance song' (think end of summer camp, final class of a session, etc.), try If I Were, from the I Grow With Yoga CD, sung by our friend Sammie Haynes. It's most appropriate for ages 2.5 - 11 years or so. Best part is you can change the poses out to be whatever you'd like!

More songs like this and hundreds of other tips and ideas are shared as part of the ChildLight Yoga Teacher Training. There are several scheduled around New England (and PA) this winter. Come join the fun!

October 2009

Teaching yoga to kids at Halloween time is a wonderful and super FUN opportunity to stretch the imaginations of the children in our classes. Halloween adventure stories make for a perfect themed lesson plan. Here is a basic story I've used in the past with preschool to first graders:

Note: Set the ambience by dimming the lights and placing a carved pumpkin in the center of the circle with a battery operated candle in it. Halloween-themed music with no vocals is nice too - just make sure it's not too scary! You can find lots of themed music CDs this time of year for as little as $1 at places like Wal-Mart or Rite-Aid.

Halloween Night…. What are you being for Halloween this year? Don't say it out loud. Think about how you can create a yoga pose to demonstrate who you are goinng to be. Take your time. Let's take turns showing our pose and everyone else can guess what you are going to be. (Note: Once the pose is correctly identified, have the entire class try out the new pose.)

Let’s go for a walk around our neighborhood and stop at each house to see if they’ll give us a trick or a treat! WALKING, WALKING SONG What do we see? TREE, MOON, STAR

Up in that tree is a BLACK CAT…hisssss…meow! We keeping walking and come to a BRIDGE – let’s cross! On the other side of the bridge are four scary-looking creatures! The first one is a LION (Lion’s Breath) EVIL WITCH, SPIDER, GHOST The creatures all start giggling and soon you realize that they are actually your friends dressed up their Halloween costumes! They want you to come with them to a Halloween party – So you all hop on THE BUS and go! (WHEELS ON THE BUS SONG w/movements around the room)

The bus stops and you all get off and see a spooky, old creaky GATE. You open the gate…creaaaaaeeeaaaK and walk through it into a dark yard with lots of viny TREES everywhere. Up ahead is a sign that say’s ‘Take the BOAT across the river to the party!’ and you notice that there are indeed a bunch of boats lined up along the bank of the river. So you get in and paddle your BOAT across. (While holding boat pose, sing the orginal Row Your Boat song or use ChildLight Yoga's version from the I Grow With Yoga CD.)

As you and your friends come to the other side, you see that you have arrived at a wonderful party. There is a swarm of happy people that come down to greet you when you park your canoe, yelling ‘Happy Halloween!!!!!’

The Candy Dilemma Due to allergies and family's personal preferences, I skip handing out candy at yoga class and instead give out treat trinkets such as sticky pretend spiders and the like. You can get these really inexpensively at places like Oriental Trading Company online. Outside of class, Halloween can be a time where overindulgence is common. Candy and sweets are fine once in a while, but at our house, we often have lots left over after trick or treat, and that isn't healthy for any of us. Recently I just read a good article in Raising Maine about how to handle the influx of candy at halloween. Another idea that we've used is to decide which candies are our favorites and give the rest away (a great lesson in aparigraha, or non-attachment and bramacharya, or self-control/moderation). I like this idea better than just throwing it away, which is wasteful. We put the candy in recycled containers, such as yogurt tubs, and bring it to our service providers like the local bank, post office, etc. so that they can give it away as they wish...and make someone's day a little sweeter. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

September 2009

A wonderful song from "Dance for the Sun", one of our favorite CDs of kids yoga songs, is featured in the new Dell ad! Congrats to Kira Willey! The YogainMySchool Blog has done a great job highlighting this news and includes a link to the ad - check it out! For this and other kids yoga songs and CD recommendations, see our blog post titled "Yoga Songs Make Kids Yoga Fun!"